These hot honey chicken wings are super sticky, have the perfect amount of heat, and are easily baked in the oven! They're crispy, have a simple ingredients list, and are the perfect alternative to the traditional wing options like bbq sauce or buffalo!
These homemade chicken wings might just be your new favorite easy recipe that are a game day classic! The homemade hot honey sauce is super easy and quick to make, and if you've never made hot honey before then you may never buy the storebought version again. It's definitely a more cost-effective option, and makes for a great base for sauce recipes like this one. Our method for baking the chicken wings (using baking powder) also leads to the crispiest chicken wings that taste like the deep frying version without the extra mess or oil. Save this recipe for the super bowl or when you need a new party appetizer!
This recipe will show you how to make the crispiest spiced oven-baked wings and make a hot honey sauce which remains thick so it coats the wings, creating the best hot honey glaze! The honey is also added to the sauce off the heat, so that it still infuses with flavor but doesn't become too thin or overheat. These wings are perfect with some additional sliced peppers or crushed red pepper if you're looking for some extra heat, or some sesame seeds for a little added crunch. Add these to the list for your next gathering and let us know how you love these hot honey wings!
Looking for another chicken wing recipe? Try out our Garlic Butter Chicken Wings! For another recipe with a kick, check out our Spicy Chicken Fajitas.
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Why You'll Love these Chicken Wings
- The wings are baked and not fried. While a fried wing can definitely be tasty at times, we've found a method thats makes for extra crispy wings in the oven which creates less mess and makes them a little lighter than the fried alternative.
- The spicy sauce has the perfect balance of flavors! There's obviously some sweetness from the honey, some heat from the peppers, but the sauce also has a few additional ingredients to add some extra flavor and acidity which makes it perfectly balanced.
- They're the perfect appetizer or full meal. These spicy wings would be a great appetizer to bring to a party, or could definitely be a main course served with a side for a meal at home.
Ingredients for this Recipe
These wings and the spicy hot honey sauce have a relatively simple list of ingredients, and we've also included some substitutions below.
- Chicken wings - I like to buy the precut chicken wings, but if you buy whole chicken wings you can keep them together if you like or separate them yourself.
- Salt and pepper - A good amount of salt and some black pepper are key to ensuring the chicken itself has lots of flavor, so be sure not to skimp on these!
- Garlic powder - Just a little to add some additional flavor but not too much that the spices burn in the oven.
- Cayenne - Some cayenne pepper adds a little extra heat to the chicken itself.
- Baking powder - One of the key ingredients in this recipe! Tossing the unbaked chicken wings in baking powder is the best secret step to ensuring extra crispy chicken wings made in the oven! They turn out so golden brown and crispy without the use of any frying oil or any oil at all!
- Butter - A few tablespoons of butter are melted over medium-high heat which makes for a hot base to add the sliced peppers and crushed red pepper (if using), which allows the heat to infuse into the melted butter. I typically use unsalted butter but salted butter also works.
- Red jalapeños or fresno chile peppers - Whichever you can find in your grocery store work! Red jalapeños are slightly less spicy than fresno chile peppers, so if you are using fresnos I recommend using less of them. Peppers also individually vary in spice level, so if you have a lower tolerance to heat you may want to test a small piece of one to see how hot the individual pepper is. Additionally, if you don't want the wings to be super spicy I would recommend using 1 sliced pepper instead of 2. The additional pepper slices as garnish are also completely optional!
- Crushed red pepper - Optional, but I love how adding a sprinkle of red pepper flakes gives the sauce tiny individual pockets of heat! Just be sure to add/garnish based on the heat level that you know you typically prefer. I always like to remind myself I can always sprinkle on more after but can't take too much away! 😊
- Honey - Key of course! Make sure to use your favorite brand and to add it off the heat to the sauce. If you add it on the heat the composition will change, and if boiled it becomes much too thin and won't stick to the wings. A nice warm glaze is ideal for some super sticky and saucy wings! I also found that ⅔ of a cup was the perfect amount and that 1 cup honey created too much sauce, as it does still thin out a bit once warmed.
- Apple cider vinegar - Apple cider vinegar cuts the sweetness of the honey and makes the sauce perfect for a savory wing dish.
- Worcestershire sauce - I love adding some Worcestershire to add an extra umami flavor to the sauce. If you don't have Worcestershire I would recommend soy sauce as a substitute.
- Dijon mustard - Adds a little extra different type of heat along with some sharpness which also works to cut the sweetness of the sauce.
See recipe card below for quantities.
Step by Step Instructions
These delicious wings require a few steps but they're all super easy!
Step 1: Preheat the oven and prepare the baking sheets. Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet or two medium baking sheets with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.
Step 2: Dry the wings. Pat chicken wings very dry with a paper towel then place them in a large bowl. Make sure to dry them before putting them in the bowl, not when they're already in the bowl.
Step 3: Season the wings. In a small bowl whisk together salt, pepper, garlic powder, cayenne, and baking powder. Sprinkle the spices over the wings, then use your hands to evenly coat them.
Step 4: Bake the wings. Lay them in an even layer on the baking sheet(s), making sure not to crowd them. Bake for 20 minutes, flip the wings, then continue cooking for 15-20 minutes or until the wings are crispy and reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Step 5: Heat the sliced peppers. When the wings have 5-10 minutes left, make the hot honey sauce. Melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium high heat and add the sliced jalapeños and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper (if using). Cook until just fragrant then remove from heat.
Step 6: Finish the hot honey sauce. Stir in the honey, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire, dijon, and season with salt. Make sure to continue stirring until the sauce emulsifies and becomes smooth and consistent.
Step 7: Finish the wings. Remove wings from oven, add them to a clean large bowl, then top with the hot honey sauce, using tongs or a large spoon to toss well. Plate, top with additional sliced red jalapeño, crushed red pepper, salt, and serve immediately.
Tips for Making these Sticky Chicken Wings
- In order to get crispy baked wings make sure to pat them very dry with paper towels, and also make sure not to skip the baking powder as this is key to getting crispy wings in the oven!
- Another tip for crispy wings is to make sure not to overcrowd them on the baking sheet, using multiple sheets if needed to ensure they are in a single layer.
- Keep in mind how much heat you can tolerate before adding the sliced peppers and the crushed red pepper (if using). Also keep in mind that the heat level of peppers can vary quite a bit!
- Make sure to add the honey once the butter and peppers are removed from the heat. You do not want to simmer the honey as it will become much too thin and the sauce won't stick to the wings.
FAQs
Yes definitely, the green jalapeños are just "younger" and may not be as spicy, but you can adjust for this with additional crushed red pepper if needed.
Yes you could use bone-in chicken thighs or drumsticks, the cooking time will just vary depending on what you use.
A refreshing ranch dip or blue cheese dressing with a side of celery and carrots would be a great cool pairing, or a side caesar salad would also be perfect! Sweet potato fries would also be a delicious combination.
Storing and Freezing
While best served right away, if made in advance or if you have leftovers, the wings must be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. I recommend reheating them in the toaster oven or oven as opposed to the microwave.
Once baked and cooled, the wings can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Did you try this recipe? If so please leave a ⭐️ rating and/or comment below! Also, make sure to tag us on Instagram @doublethespoonfuls so we can see what you create.
📖 Recipe
Hot Honey Chicken Wings - Easy Baked Recipe!
Ingredients
- 3 pounds chicken wings
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1-2 red jalapeños or fresno chile peppers sliced, seeds included (see note)
- sprinkle of crushed red pepper optional
- ⅔ cup honey
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet or two medium baking sheets with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.
- Pat chicken wings very dry with a paper towel then place them in a large bowl. Make sure to dry them before putting them in the bowl, not when they're already in the bowl.3 pounds chicken wings
- In a small bowl whisk together salt, pepper, garlic powder, cayenne, and baking powder. Sprinkle the spices over the wings, then use your hands to evenly coat them.1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon baking powder, ⅛ teaspoon cayenne
- Lay them in an even layer on the baking sheet(s), making sure not to crowd them. Bake for 20 minutes, flip the wings, then continue cooking for 15-20 minutes or until the wings are crispy and reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
- When the wings have 5-10 minutes left, make the hot honey sauce. Melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium high heat and add the sliced jalapeños and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper (if using). Cook until just fragrant then remove from heat.2 tablespoons butter, sprinkle of crushed red pepper, 1-2 red jalapeños or fresno chile peppers
- Stir in the honey, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire, dijon, and season with salt. Make sure to continue stirring until the sauce emulsifies and becomes smooth and consistent.⅔ cup honey, 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Remove wings from oven, add them to a clean large bowl, then top with the hot honey sauce, using tongs or a large spoon to toss well. Plate, top with additional sliced red jalapeño, crushed red pepper, salt, and serve immediately.
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